As unabashed purveyors of rampant speculation and unsubstantiated theories, we wonder if this may hint at a sooner-rather-than-later end to the work stoppage. After all, everyone knows Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs is one of the league’s more influential owners. A puppet-master even. So if Jacobs doesn’t think layoffs are necessary at this point, maybe it’s because they aren’t ever going to be necessary.